Kelly Rutherford attends the Park Hyatt New York opening party on Wednesday. Photo: Getty Images

Kelly Rutherford said it’s been a relief to have her child custody battle out in the open. “It’s something I’ve had to live with for a long time,” she explained Wednesday night at the Park Hyatt New York opening party.

In 2012, the “Gossip Girl” actress’ two children were ordered to live with their father and Rutherford’s ex-husband, Daniel Giersh, in France. Rutherford’s been fighting for them ever since and says she’s “thankful” for the media’s support.

“It’s a case that’s unprecedented and it’s something that we need to look at. That U.S. children can be sent to foreign countries, it’s sort of very odd. Hopefully we’re going to raise some awareness…I’ve got a good team of pro bono lawyers.”